Do you remember how Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty” looked drop-dead gorgeous at the end of the movie? It’s because she got enough sleep. In this day and age, when we underrate the importance of sleep due to the many obligations we have to finish during the day, it is very important that we use all the resources we have to get the best sleep we can. Sleep is considered a natural “fountain of youth”, and there’s a reason for it – getting enough sleep every night does not only affect our mood the following day but our physical appearance as well. But, how can it affect our beauty?

Dark circles

One of the first things we see on our face after getting only a few zzz’s are definitely the dark circles under our eyes. These are caused by dilated blood vessels after spending less than 8 hours rest. Even though dark circles are somewhat easy to cover up (using different concealers applied the right way), it would be even better if we didn’t have to think about putting make up on our face every time we wake up and want to go to the, let’s say, store. Another way you could get rid of swelling and puffy eyes is by staying hydrated and elevating your head with an extra pillow during the night.


Weight gain


Little do we know that lack of sleep can cause our body to gain more weight (and we definitely don’t want that!). The hormonal changes in the brain due to lack of sleep can sometimes result in some extra fat on our hips. This is caused by a peptide that controls our appetite, which means that people who tend to sleep less than 7 or 8 hours a night can have a bigger appetite, contrary to those who sleep through the regular 8 hours. A study conducted in 2004 has shown that people who sleep roughly 5 hours a night are 15% more likely to become obese. 


Unwanted wrinkles

One part of the repair process, while we’re sleeping, is the production of new collagen, which is extremely important for the elasticity and freshness of our skin. Without enough collagen, our skin tends to dry more rapidly, which results in the increase of fine lines which can, due to the dryness of the skin, become even more visible. Even though getting wrinkles around our eyes and lips is inevitable, planning when to go to bed, so that you get enough sleep, can slow down the aging process.



Skin ages faster

The popular skincare company Estée Lauder has conducted a research that, for the first time, has shown how lack of sleep and premature aging are connected. Not sleeping long enough can cause an increase in wrinkles, skin that’s not pigmented equally, and reduced elasticity. However, if you are having trouble sleeping, there’s another way you can try to solve this issue, and that is using vitamins and supplements to help you. The best ones are natural Herbs of Gold capsules which do not only combine herbs, but also have stress- and anxiety-relieving properties. They are also 100% organic and cruelty-free. So, if you cannot sleep during the night, try these out, so as not to have prematurely old skin.


Hair problems

Did you know that, apart from these already mentioned problems, lack of sleep can cause problems with your hair, such as hair loss, breakage or hair damage? The hair follicles, where our hair starts to grow, should get enough nutrients, vitamins and minerals from our blood flow. Irregular sleep patterns tend to slow down this process, meaning our hair does not get enough food to grow appropriately. Moreover, being short on shut-eye will lead to more stress, which is known to be one of the main reasons for hair loss. 

Now that you know what the aftermath of not getting enough sleep is, try to plan your sleeping rituals in advance and introduce some changes. If you have to get up early, go to bed earlier than you are used to. Your body, brain and skin will all be very grateful to you, and you’ll be feeling amazing.



The author

Amy Mia Goldsmith is an Aussie blogger in love with fashion,  beauty, and style. Her mission is to inform the world of all the things she loves and enjoys. She is a contributor at High Style Life.  You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.